Simon says: : In his first major league start in Game 2, Alfredo Simon, who spent most of the season in the Mexican League, pitched 7 2/3 outstanding innings. Simon frustrated Tampa Bay with his heavy fastball, which helped produce 12 ground-ball outs and six strikeouts. In his most recent Triple-A start Sept. 1, Simon allowed seven runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Bullpen blues: : After Simon allowed a solo homer to Evan Longoria, Trembley brought in Jamie Walker to protect a 5-3 lead. Walker failed to record an out, allowing four runs on three hits, a walk and a wild pitch to take the loss. Walker's ERA jumped from 5.92 to 6.87 with the rough outing.
Pickoff problem: : Orioles starter Garrett Olson cruised through the first four innings of Game 1 but got himself into trouble in the fifth when his attempted pickoff throw sailed well over first baseman Oscar Salazar's head and allowed a run to score. Fernando Perez then doubled to score Jason Bartlett, who had advanced to second on the errant throw.
